Prabath Jayasuriya's exceptional five-wicket haul on Monday steered Sri Lanka to a 63-run victory over New Zealand on the final day of the first Test in Galle. The Black Caps, aiming to chase down 275, were bowled out for 211 shortly after play resumed, with Rachin Ravindra top-scoring with a resilient 92.
Ravindra had fought hard on Sunday against a sharply turning pitch, where New Zealand had never won a Test match. His score set a new record for the highest by a New Zealand player at Galle, overtaking Ross Taylor's 89 in 2019. However, his defiance came to an end early on Monday when Jayasuriya trapped him lbw, allowing him to add just one run to his overnight tally.
Jayasuriya's five-wicket effort in the second innings (5-68) took his match total to nine. He sealed the victory by dismissing New Zealand’s debutant pacer William O’Rourke for a duck. O'Rourke, who picked up eight wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in Sri Lanka's first innings, continued to impress in only his third Test appearance.
Ajaz Patel stood out for New Zealand with figures of 6-90 in Sri Lanka’s second innings, marking the best performance by a Kiwi bowler in Sri Lanka since Daniel Vettori’s 6-64 in 1998.
The second and final Test of the series is set to begin at the same venue on Thursday.
